BeachFest '97 Daytona's Coast Party!
The Daytona Beach Business
Guild, whose phenomenal
growth to about 200 members in a resort that a few short years ago was considered a gay and lesbian "backwash," is the major promoter of the fourth annual BeachFest 97, the result being that Daytona's "Gay and Lesbian Spring Break" is rapidly gaining the reputation as a particularly exciting and unique experience, while on the popular party circuit it is an extraordinary value!
Last year's event doubled attendance at the three day celebration of sun and fun drawing gay men and lesbians of every description from all over North America and several countries. One of the main reasons for this interest in BeachFest is its casual fun atmosphere. You are unlikely to find any "posing" or "attitude" here, and when we interviewed attendees last year the recurring response to our question, "Why do you come to BeachFest?", was "Because it's just great fun!"
With the usual shorefront activities at the 1996 event; pool parties, volleyball tournaments, "Best Buns" Men's and Women's Contests, and the crowning of the King and Queen of BeachFest, other events include a Wacko Fashion Show, giveaways and prizes, special receptions, a Lambda Car Club Show, Sand Sculpture Contest, complimentary poolside buffet, Best Tan Line Contests, plus special events throughout the weekend at local night spots, especially The Barracks Complex. The number of vendors attending has tripled and last year the variety of products and number of booths made for some interesting browsing and shopping in a gay and lesbian mall environment!
BeachFest'97 will be held April 17-20, with even more activities, a welcoming gay and lesbian community and our perfect late spring weather. So spoil yourself with a getaway to BeachFest for sunny relaxation or a wild weekend of dancing and socializing with other gay men and lesbians!
The host hotel for BeachFest this year is the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort with newly remodeled rooms, a pool and pool bar, restaurant and lounge. Located right in the center of the action on the beach and within walking distance to three gay bars on Main Street, restaurants and shops.
Recommended restaurants during your stay include cosmopolitan Cafe Frappes, the intimate Cellar and the historic St. Regis Restaurant & Patio Garden Bar, and Barnacles Seafood and Steak Restaurant in Daytona. And just minutes south in New Smyrna is the gay-owned Euro Cafe, an Expresso Bar specializing in homemade sandwiches and salads.
Daytona Beach has come a long way in nightlife choices. There are still the Main Street clubs, The Hollywood/Barn Door Complex and the Beachside Club. Added to these are The Barracks, rated one of Florida's hottest and best club complexes, and the 7*69 Club, popular with women.
For registration, additional information and a free guide and map, contact: The Daytona beach Business Guild, PO Box 263148, Daytona beach, Florida 32126, USA. Tel. 904.322.8003. E-mail:
gdbbg@aol.com
Accommodations:
Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort, 600 North Atlantic Ave., Daytona Bch., FL 32118, tel. 1.800.767.4471 or 904.255-4471.
Buccaneer Motel, 2301 North Atlantic Ave., Daytona Bch., FL 32118. Tel. 1.800.972.6056 or 904.253-9678. Fax: 904.253-7932.
Coquina Inn, 544 South Palmetto Ave., Daytona Bch., FL 32114. Tel. 1.800.805.7533 or 904.254.4969.
Ramada Resort Oceanfront, 2700 North Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, FL 32118. Tel. 1.800.654.6216 or 904.672-3770.
Travelers Inn, 735 North Atlantic Ave., Daytona Bch., FL 32118. Tel. 904,253-3501. Fax: 904.441.5977.
The Villa, 801 North Peninsula Dr., Daytona Bch., FL 32118. Tel. 904.248.2020.
Restaurants:
Barnacles Restaurant & Lounge, 869 South Atlantic Ave., tel. 904.673.1070. Steaks and seafood in a unique atmosphere.
Cafe Frappes, 174 North beach St., tel. 904.254-7999.
21st-century gourmet. The Cellar, 220 Magnolia Ave., tel. 904.258-0011. Cozy luncheon and dinners with imaginative menus.
Euro Cafe, 113 Flagler Ave., New Smyrna Bch., Fl., tel. 904.428-8784. An Expresso Bar serving a variety of coffees, teas plus homemade sandwiches and salads.
St. Regis Restaurant & Patio Garden Bar, 509 Seabreeze Blvd. tel. (904) 252-8743. Fine dining in an historic atmosphere.
Clubs:
The Barracks, 952 Orange Ave., Daytona Bch. A 4 bar complex with shows, pool room, conversation lounge and special events. Men and Women.
The Beachside Club, 415 Main St. Intimate neighborhood bar with entertainment.
Mostly men. Hollywood/Barn Door Complex, 615 Main St. Dance club, piano bar and shows. Men and Women.
The 7*69, 769 Alabama St. Dance and video bar serving food. Mostly women.
Who's Who To Gather In New Orleans For "What's What"
On April 12, 1997, owners/
executives of Au Bon Climat,
Beringer, Matanzas Creek, Mondavi, Roederer, Sanford and Spottswoode wineries will gather to pour their finest makes at dinner benefitting Longue Vue House and Gardens, a not-for-profit decorative arts and design museum in New Orleans, Louisiana.The wines will be introduced by Master Sommelier, Lawrence Stone, of Rubicon in San Francisco. The palate will be stimulated by fare prepared by the team of award winning chefs, Diane Forley and Willy Coln. Premium port, brandy and cigars will enhance the cabaret atmosphere showcasing Lillian Boutte crooning her soulful ballads post-dinner. Patron level ticket holders will be guests at an intimate cocktail party the prior evening wherejazz legend Doc Cheatam and newer jazz great, Nicholas Payton, team up in a rare performance at a private home in New Orleans' most exclusive area.
Following dinner, there will be a travel auction of 22 unparalleled travel opportunities featuring Relais and Chateaux, Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Leading Hotels of the World, Exclusive Hotels by Forte and AmanResorts properties acting as home base for extraordinary experiences such as:
*Sailing the turkish coast on the sumptuous yacht, The Halas, and cocktails with Humeyra Ozbas, the granddaughter of the last Sultan, Vahdetin.
*A two-week food and wine experience in France promising the best of private tasting at some of Europe's finest cellars with a stay at one of Europe's most expensive hotels, Chateau de Bagnols, which recently underwent a renovation rumored to have cost a million dollar per room.
*An extended stay in Sicily with Marchessa Anna Tasca Lanza, noted chef and proprietress of the world-famous cooking school, Regaleali. The travellers will also be welcomed for an intimate dinner party into the palace of Prince and Principessa Rafadali outside of Palermo and into the private world of the Borghese family for lunch and a special tour of their home and grounds.
*A week's stay at "Turtle Cliffs," a private home whose visitors have included: Francis Ford Coppola, Oprah Winfrey, David Copperfield, in exclusive Costa Careyes, Mexico and Hotel Bel-Air Costa Careyes opens its doors as the travellers playground while staying at Turtle Cliffs.
Delta Air Lines acts as lead sponsor with over $ 100,000.00 of airline tickets donated to the event.
This is the largest single-event donation Delta makes to a U.S. charitable organization. Other National sponsors include: Federal Express, Hotel Inter Continental New Orleans, Upton Printing, Freeport McMoRan Foundation, and Tidewater, Inc.
Tickets are $175.00 and seating is limited to 400 on a first come, first serve basis. The event is being held this year at the New Orleans' Garden District residence of former King of Carnival, Mr. and Mrs. W. Boatner Reily, III.
Confidential, absentee bids may be submitted prior to the event by mailing them to: Sentimental Journeys, #7 Bamboo Road, New Orleans, Louisiana 70124, ATTN: Kate Werner.
Proceeds support educational programs such as the Discovery Garden, one of the first interactive children's gardens in the nation, housed at or sponsored by Longue Vue.
Baton Rouge
Mardi Gras Benefits
Friends for Life
Capital Area HIV/AIDS Ser
vices, Inc. will be the
benficiary of a Mardi Gras costume contest and concert.
Mardi Gras Mambo with Friends for Life will be a costume contest being held by Traditions on Highland Road which will commence after the Spanishtown Mardi Gras Parade, from 12:30 pm to 6 pm.
A dj and Mardi Gras munchies will be available for a $7 donation.
She/The Band featuring Daphne MuShatt will perform in A Mardi Gras Eve Concert Lundi Gras, Feb. 10, from 8 pm to midnight at the Argosy Festival Atrium in Catfish Town. General admission is $10. in advance, $12. at the door. Tables for eight @ $100. may be reserved by calling Friends for Life at 504.923.2277.
B.E.T. Jazz Discoveries Winner Marvin M. Williams Celebrates CD Release as Benefit for NO/AIDS Task Force
New Orleans-based composer/bassist Marvin M. Williams was a winner in Black Entertainment Television's Jazz Discoveries national jazz competition in the show's Instrumentalist category on January 18th..... he will advance on to the finals which will air later in the season.
Timing is everything..... as this Jazz Discovery honor is on the heels of the release of Williams' first solo CD, LAST IMPRESSION on SIR RECORDS / APMB MUSIC, which will make its debut on Valentine's Day during the 1997 Gavin Convention In New Orleans.
The 1O-cut CD features all original compositions by Williams with the talents of some of the new guard in New Orleans jazz/progressive music scene...... saxophonist Clarence Johnson III, guitarist Mark Fowler, drummers Terrance Higgins and Raymond Weber, pianist/organists Glen Patscho and Tyrone Jackson, flautist Hart McKnee, and percussionist Michael Word, as well as seasoned heavyweights such as trumpet guru Michael Ray and guitarist John Scofield.
Williams will be kicking off his February 14th debut with an in-store performance at TOWER RECORDS, 5 PM that day, followed by a CD release party at THE FASHION CAFE from 7-9 PM that evening.....all door proceeds from the party will go to benefit the NO/AIDS TASKFORCE -A Partnership for Life.
You can also catch Williams every Saturday in February at new local jazz hotspot APRES at 709 St. Charles Avenue, and the NEW SHOWCASE LOUNGE on February 20th, before he leaves the Big Easy for his two-night record release party in Florida at KEY WEST BAR & GRILLE In Panama City Beach February 28-March 1st.
